If you could sum up the Prague nightlife scene in one word, it would be “pub.” Ok, maybe “beer” would be a better choice. Most locals would rather line up to sit at a long wooden bar in a pub to and gab and guzzle beer than dress up and go to a dance club or lounge. Remember, Prague is famous for its potent beer, busy pubs, and elaborate beer gardens. So, if you want to blend in with the locals late at night, all it takes is a pint in hand and a some personality.

Another popular night out for locals involves live music performances, well -- classical music and opera, that is, and Jazz. This is not to say that you won’t happen across a few Praguers that would prefer a dance club or a live rock band over a pub or classical music performance -- but pubs are simply the dominant theme here. Other popular forms of nightlife entertainment in Prague include hitting the blackjack table at one of Prague’s many casinos or taking in a movie at one of the city’s 35 busy movie theaters.

With a liberal tolerance for strip clubs and adult entertainment that rivals the loose standards of Amsterdam, Prague has also become a popular destination spot for bachelor parties and stag party trips. It’s a wild place, so you shouldn’t be surprised by anything.

Prague Beer Gardens

Whether it’s the outdoor section of a popular pub or an elaborate beer garden that only pops up during Prague’s warmest months – you are guaranteed a good time if you park it at one of the city’s many Czech beer gardens. One of the most popular Prague beer gardens is Riegrovy Sady Beer Garden. Located in one of the city’s largest and most popular parks (Riegrovy Sady) is a Czech beer lovers and sports lovers dream. Oh – and meat lovers will enjoy it too. The garden has massive TV screen broadcasting football and hockey games, a stage, foosball tables, and late hours depending on weather (12 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.). Riegrovy attracts a laid-back crowd of 20-somethings. Payment: Cash only.

U Fleku should be at the top of your list of beer gardens to visit -- after Riegrovy Sady. This beer garden is popular with tourists form all over the world and locals alike. On any given night you will find an interesting mix of hundreds of Czech beer lovers sipping on Black Beer while listening to live music.

Prague Bars and Dance Clubs

Prague has its fair share of bars and upscale cocktail lounges and some pretty decent dance clubs too. If you would rather go out dancing or sip on a cocktail while having a cigar, follow the dance club link above for some of the best discos in Prague or check out the bars and cocktail lounges below.

Voted one of the world's top 20 bars by Newsweek, Bugsy's Bar sells over 300 cocktails concoctions and hundreds of other drinks. Just browse through the offerings in the "Blue Bible" – Bugsy’s original menu. Swank Bar serves up hundreds of martinis, while the upscale Týnská Bar and Books is a popular place to enjoy a cigar and a cocktail -- in the center of Prague. And for sports lovers, check out Jagr’s Sport Bar or Sportsbar Sparta ve Slavii.

Prague Jazz Clubs

Prague’s Jazz clubs are very unique as they can be found just about anywhere ranging from the heart of the city to the very outskirts of town. And, many Jazz music “clubs” are more like Jazz lounges that also house art galleries and CD shops. You will find several pure live jazz clubs and many fusion-type live jazz clubs here that also feature live blues, soul, jazzrock, R&B, Dixieland, rock, and funk. Jazz music lovers typically start their nights rather early, so expect some performances to start as early at 7 p.m. – but usually no later than 9 p.m.

Some of the most popular Prague jazz clubs include: Reduta Jazz Club, Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club, Akord, Jazz Lounge, and AghaRTA. Established in 1958, Reduta Jazz Club is one of Prague’s oldest jazz clubs featuring local and international performers. You’ll hear everything from traditional jazz, Dixieland and jazzrock to soul, R&B and rock. At Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club, expect to hear blues, jazz, fusion and funk seven days a week. Ungelt is located a few steps from Old Town Square. Akord is an interesting jazz club, art gallery, and CD store all rolled up into one with live concerts every night of the week starting at 9 p.m.

Jazz Lounge, which also has a CD shop, sells music by local artists and performances range from modern and contemporary to Latin jazz. The club and bar open at 7 p.m. and the performances are daily starting at 9 p.m. to midnight. And finally, the conveniently located AghaRTA – just off Old Town Square – opens at around 6 p.m. daily with live jazz performances every night of the week from 9 p.m. to midnight. AghaRTA is also a jazz club, bar, and record shop. The bar is open until 1 a.m. and the record shop is open 24/7/

If it’s warm enough, and you want to take a boat ride and listen to some live jazz, check out Jazzboat. Jazzboat cruises around the historical center and the outskirts of Prague while Czech bands and special guests play everything from jazz music and Latin to swing. Jazzboat usually runs every night from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Check the website for performance schedules.

Prague Opera and Classical Music

If you’re curious about the opera and classical music scene in Prague, there are several places to check out for performances. The Symfonicky Orchestr hl. M. Prahy FOK (The Prague Symphony Orchestra) at the Obecni or the Ceska filharmonie (Czech Philharmonic) at the Rudolfinum are excellent options as well as the Estates Theater. Mozart’s Don Giovanni is presented twice a month at the Estates Theater.

Prague Nightlife Web Guide

For more information about Prague nightlife, visit any of the websites or guides below.

City of Prague Tourism
The City of Prague website features a section for tourists called “Prague Information Service.” Here, you can find out about everything Prague has to offer including nightlife, restaurants, accommodations, shopping, transportation, museums and monuments, and much more! You can also find out about ways to save on admission prices across the city, and view photos of various sites and attractions.

Prague.com
This is a great website offering tons of information about attractions, restaurants, nightlife, art and culture, recreation, shopping, casino, news, and just about everything else that’s happening in and around Prague. You can also check out weather reports, maps, and transportation, as well as book hotel reservations, flights, hire a car, and more.

Pragueexperience.com
Find out about the best places to dine, sleep, party, shop, and explore. This online travel guide also features information about opera in Prague, sightseeing trips, deals on hotels and apartments, and a section dedicated to stag weekends.

W Cities
Excellent place to find out about events and sightseeing tours around Prague as well as information on dining, shopping, hotels, recreation, attractions, and nightlife.

Fodors.com
Fodors.com features summaries of places to see, eat, drink, and sleep in and around Prague. If you want a quick list of the top spots in Prague, you’ll find it here.

Frommers.com
Frommers.com features summaries of places to see, eat, drink, and sleep in and around Prague. If you want a quick list of the top spots in Prague, you’ll find it here.

LonelyPlanet.com
Lonely Planet features background information and fast facts about Prague, as well as places to see, drink, and eat. The site also features an image gallery, and shopping and travel tips.

VirtualTourist.com
Read reviews from people just like you that have been to the places you want to go. Expect to find raw reviews (and opinions) on just about everything from restaurants and nightlife to hotels, shopping, and sightseeing.

TripResource.com
This is an excellent resource for international travel information. You can find the best deals on Prague hotels, airfare, car rentals, and more. You can also find information about Prague weather, currency, passport information, exchange rates, and more.